Carly Rivest- 7-22-16

Carly Rivest-

Beach Day:

     Today we had our day of relaxation on the beach at Wahoo Resorts. There was paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling for $5, and jet skis ($2 for every minute). Everyone tried new activities and enjoyed the salty ocean. One of the crew’s favorite activities was the blow up trampoline in the ocean with a floating slip and slide attached. The goal was to be able to run to the end of the slip and slide without wiping out. The lunch was provided by the resort. There was a mix of chicken, rice, coleslaw, and fried plantains. Last night, we were all advised to apply sunscreen generously and frequently. Some understood this better than others, and most of the team members resemble lobsters. Whoops. The plane ride tomorrow may bring about some discomfort.  Being in the hot sun all day left a few of us dehydrated. One team member visited the “Clinic in a Box” where they were provided with some AC and extra fluids. Not to worry though, they will be back to 100% before you know it.

Overall Feelings about Haiti:

    Haiti never ceases to amaze me with its scenery. Whether it is the mountains surrounding us or the ocean on the other side, everywhere you look is filled with jaw dropping beauty. The vibrant colors intricately painted on shacks selling goods gave us a little insight to their culture as we drove past in our school bus. Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get to walk around in the “Outdoor Walmarts” as the interns called them. The culture in Haiti was quite different. It was easy for the Haitian people to welcome Americans into their homes, but they were very hesitant to trust us. Most of the time they would be reluctant to answer questions and barely made eye contact with any of us. White people or “blah” don’t have the best reputation down in Haiti. We even got asked why so many Americans go to other countries to help out when nothing really changes.  After being asked that yesterday we all felt even more guilty about enjoying a day on the beach. Going back to America after being with people who have a lot less than us is difficult. Most missionaries want to discuss their feelings of guilt with those around them but it’s hard for other people to understand exactly how bad it is until they have experienced it first-hand. Taking a day off to enjoy the wonders of Haiti, gives us time to unpack the experiences from the trip in community before a long day of airports and culture shock. We depart from Mission of Hope at 7:00 am and can’t wait to share more about our experiences with family and friends. We are so blessed to have a community to support our journey and the work we have done. See y’all soon!

A Smaller Outdoor Walmart